Clayton Watson

Clayton Watson (born 23 March 1977) is an Australian producer, actor, writer, and director, best known for his breakthrough role as Kid in the films of The Matrix.

Early life Watson was raised on a rural South Australian sheep station.

Watson first began performing at the age of twelve, but decided to pursue it as a career when he turned 16. Upon graduating from high school, and at this stage living on the Gold Coast, he went on to study at the Australian Film and Television Academy (AFTRS) in Queensland.

Watson then appeared in television guest roles, in series including Pacific Drive, Blue Heelers and Flipper, while taking jobs delivering pizzas and bartending between acting roles, to financially support himself, The following year, he appeared alongside Nathan Phillips and Gyton Grantley in Australian comedy film Under the Radar, before reprising his role as The Kid for the video game The Matrix Online in 2005. His role in the franchise saw him nominated for Best Newcomer at the American Sci-Fi Awards.

In 2008, Watson played the lead role of nursery and landscaping business owner/operator Jarrod O'Donnell in BBC drama series Out of the Blue, alongside Zoe Carides and Ryan Johnson. That same year, he appeared in supernatural horror film Credo (also known as The Devil's Curse) and had a role opposite Matthew Newton in comedy drama film Three Blind Mice. He also founded CW Productions in 2008.

In 2009, Watson began a recurring guest role on Home and Away as Grant Bledcoe, Ruby Buckton's (Rebecca Breeds) biological father with a sordid past. He also played the romantic lead, Jimmy Koutella in 2009 feature I Wish I Were Stephanie V. In 2010, he worked alongside Guy Pearce and Claudia Karvan in drama feature 33 Postcards.

In 2012, Watson played the lead character of David in Stephen King film Willa, as well as portraying Australian cricketer Ian Chappell in drama miniseries Howzat! Kerry Packer's War. In November 2013, he began appearing in a recurring role as widowed single father Jacob Holmes in long-running soap opera Neighbours. He also had a guest role in Mr & Mrs Murder, alongside Shaun Micallef and Kat Stewart the same year.

In 2018, Watson directed his first feature in New York, Michael Wardeath, also playing the title character, suspense film Kane (2023) playing Benny and shark action horror Fear Below (2025), in the role of Bob Drummond.

Personal life Watson met his wife, actress Renai Caruso on an acting job in Sydney, before he moved with her to Melbourne after she landed an acting gig there. Together they have two children.

The couple moved to Daylesford in Victoria's Macedon Ranges, where Watson began studying to become a sommelier and subsequently opened Daylesford Wine Tours in 2011. He sold the business in 2023, and the couple have since relocated to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1998 Nick: A Teen Romance Nock Short film 2003 The Matrix Reloaded Kid Feature film 2008 Three Blind Mice Vito Feature film 2010 33 Postcards Brian Feature film 2022 The Cost Brian Feature film Michael Wardeath Michael Wardeath Feature film – Completed True Divide Tristan Dorchester In development Trout Michael In development The Terraces Mark Rutherford In development The Fermi-Paradox Jack Combes In development The Drug Soldiers of Atlantis Drivis Cleese In development The Bridge Sam Cruise In development The Bat Detective Benny In development Space D.J. Bradley Star In development Safe Society Yann In development Neon Jungle Buster Brown In development Fishing a Rednecks Tale Buck In development Cully David 'DC' Constable In development Cinphoney In development BlackJack Liam In development

Television Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1996–2001 Blue Heelers Brendan Harmer / Greg / Heath Jamieson 3 episodes 1998 The Day of the Roses Dr Sommers Miniseries Gargantua G.I. Wimberley TV movie Flipper Fraizer's Henchman (uncredited) 1 episode Casino Reef TV movie 1999 High Flyers Luke 26 episodes 2001–2003 Always Greener Mickey Steele 50 episodes Howzat! Kerry Packer's War Ian Chappell Miniseries, 2 episodes 2021 Young Rock Calgary Man 1 episode

Video game Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2005 The Matrix Online Kid Video game Michael Wardeath Writer / co-director / producer Feature film – Completed The Bridge Writer / director producer Feature film – in development Bondi Baby Producer TV movie – In development 2002 Always Greener Australian Film Institute Television Awards Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama